For hundreds of years, chocolate has been one of the best gifts to receive: It is relatively cheap, easy to carry or pack, and it tastes delicious. Gourmet chocolates in particular are popular for weddings, anniversaries, and various holidays. But what is the history behind this delectable treat?

The beginning: Chocolate originally comes from Mesoamerica and is harvested from the cocoa tree, which can live to be up to 200 years old, though they only produce marketable cocoa beans for about 25 years. Chocolate was originally consumed by the native people of this area, and was presented in a liquid form (think hot chocolate, Read more